Obituary: James H Campbell

by Brian Adair

Appreciation of James Campbell, former President of the Law Society of Scotland

The Journal, June 2006, page 26

James Hugh Campbell was highly thought of throughout the Scottish legal profession, and further afield. Whether in America or Australia, both of which he visited as President of the Law Society of Scotland, or Estonia, where he offered legal advice to the nation’s leaders as the country emerged from Soviet occupation, his work ethic, leadership and enthusiasm for life were admired.

He was also active in a wide range of public bodies, and his wife, Iris, was known to sigh “Yet another club!” as he committed to something new.

One of three children, James was born in Old Kilpatrick, although his family moved to Bearsden by the time he attended school. He relished school and it was there that he first met Iris. He also formed his habit for “joining” when he became a member of the 1st Bearsden Boys Brigade company, a movement of which he remained an active member throughout his life – admiring the foundation it gave to young men.

He joined the Air Training Corps and, when called up for National Service, was posted to Japan for two years with the RAF. He enjoyed the country and returned to join the Japan Society of Scotland, and the Japan Ex-Servicemen’s Society. He then resumed his legal studies at Glasgow University and met up again with Iris, to whom he had written frequently during his posting.

He joined Bird, Son & Semple after graduating and was assumed a partner in the firm. In the 1970s, as senior partner, he oversaw various amalgamations with the firm reinventing itself as Bird Semple Crawford Herron and then eventually Bird Semple Fyfe Ireland, which became a major player in the legal field.

He willingly helped others and put something back into life. As a senior partner, he recognised that all the staff played their part in the firm, and many tributes were paid over the years by secretaries and support staff about his demeanour and helpfulness. Many partners in legal firms in Glasgow served their apprenticeship in his firm. This attitude to life pervaded everything he did.

He felt it an honour to serve as President of the Society in 1991-92 and was well respected by his peers. This role might have seemed unexpected, as he was not obvious leadership material, but in fact it oozed from him. His style was wonderfully simple – if something needed to be done he would outline what was needed and it would be fixed.

His term of office coincided with an interesting period for the Society, and he was responsible for helping steer the implementation of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act of 1990, which among other things, in a major shift, introduced rights of audience for solicitors in the High Court and Court of Session.

He also spotted early on the significance of the creation of a European single market and the need for a strong Scottish legal presence in Brussels. Negotiations he commenced led to the setting up of joint offices for the Law Societies of Scotland and England & Wales to deal with the laws coming out of European institutions, a far-sighted move.

Law was his passion and after retiring he continued working, serving on various committees until he was 75.

He was one of life’s enthusiasts. Never a great sportsman, he took part in various activities with relish. In Who’s Who, he quoted that he “played at golf rather than being a golfer”.

He was passionate about Glasgow, though he only lived within the city boundaries while at university. He was very knowledgeable about the city and had a large collection of books. He was a member of the Merchants House, Western Club, Art Club, and a past president of the Glasgow Haggis Club.

More important, however, were his involvement with the Trades House of Glasgow – he served as deacon of the Wrights in 1980 – and his faithful service as an elder of Giffnock South Parish Church.

He enjoyed a chat and, in particular but not exclusively, male company. He loved a discussion, an argument perhaps even more so. He enjoyed formal speaking and, as well as the Trades House activities, he was a past president of the Nomads’ Club, an august speaking club in Glasgow.

He was also strong willed. An extremely heavy smoker during his working life, finally he had the will to stop two years into his retirement.

A lover of music, he played the violin and joined a Glasgow musical society, Ye Cronies, only last autumn.

As a family man, he took great delight in his three children David, Hugh and Shona, all of whom survive him, and his nine grandchildren. Sadly the death of his wife, Iris, just over seven months ago, left a huge gap in his life which could not be filled and his grief coincided with physical deterioration.

Apart from a lifetime of achievement, he will be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, dad, brother, grandfather, uncle, partner and friend.